JOHN VINCENT MACDONALD KENNEDY

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JOHN (JACK) VINCENT MACDONALD KENNEDY With sadness we announce the passing of our father (Jack) John Vincent Macdonald Kennedy, at home in Winnipeg with his family at his side, on Monday, September 19th 2016. Jack was born on April 29, 1929 in The Pas, Manitoba to Edward and Mabel Kennedy and was the youngest of four children. He grew up in The Pas, leaving home to attend St. Paul's High School and St. Paul's College in Winnipeg and returning to work for The Pas Lumber Company before starting a fuel distribution business in 1956. Jack met his future wife, Caroline Shemanski at a dance at the annual The Pas Trapper's Festival. In 1958, they married and, with a shared ethic and energy for life, they built a wonderful partnership over 51 years while raising their six children. They established lifelong friendships, loved music and art together and enjoyed many gatherings of dinner and dancing. An accomplished athlete, Jack was founding president and Hall of Fame member of The Pas Huskies, the local senior level hockey team and played for the Huskies until he was 35 years old. He was a long- time coach, and a founder and President of The Pas Minor Hockey Association where he introduced the practice of professional coach advisors. Jack was a leading citizen and businessman who helped develop The Pas and the North in many ways. He also participated in public affairs on a provincial and national level. During the 1960's and 70's Jack served his community as Rotary Club president, school board trustee, school board chair, councillor and mayor. His approach was bold and progressive with a legacy that included a new high school, the first indoor pool and a new town hall among many other improvements. He worked to enhance the economic well-being of the town, fostered trusted relations between The Pas and the nearby Opasquiak Cree Nation and even guest hosted CTV's Canada AM. He was the federal Liberal candidate in 1984 for Churchill riding. Jack was a proud Canadian and cherished his Scottish roots. In business, Jack's sense of fair dealing, customer service and financial acumen were exceptional. Sixty years later Kennedy Energy remains family owned and has grown into one of the largest fuel distributors in Manitoba, winning several sales and marketing awards. A person of abiding faith, he was an active parishioner at Sacred Heart Cathedral and was the youngest ever Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus in his parish. In later life, he and Caroline built their retirement home at Clearwater Lake and enjoyed many special trips to visit their children and grandchildren. Following Caroline's passing in 2009, he divided his time between Winnipeg and The Pas, viewing Winnipeg as "far enough south" for winter. He chose to live simply and quietly, supporting numerous charities and keenly following business, social and political matters while staying tuned-in to his favourite sports teams (the Jets, Canadiens, Bombers and Blue Jays). Above all was Jack's devotion to family. He cared deeply and unceasingly about his wife, his children and their families, his sister and his brothers. No action or amount of time was too great for Jack if it meant helping his family through a difficult circumstance, just being there with advice (solicited or otherwise) or with one of his corny jokes: "How was the lake? Was the water wet?". Jack was predeceased by his beloved wife Caroline; and brothers, Kenneth and Edward. He will be dearly remembered and missed by his sister Janet and his children, Joan, Susan, Edward (Stella, children: Grace, Teresa, Simone, Daniel), Gerard (Jeanette, children: John-Julien, Theria and her daughter Charlotte), Donald (Marika, children: Katrina, Kristina, Jack, Bobby, Monique and her newborn daughter), Maureen (Robin, children: Erica, Karine, Nicole). Our family would like to thank all of our father's caregivers over the past year and especially Hannah, Anna, Edna, Rowena and John. Prayers will be held on Sunday, September 25th at 7:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral in The Pas. Funeral Service will be on Monday, September 26 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral followed by interment at Riverside Cemetery. Arrangements in care of Hemauer Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Development and Peace.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 24, 2016